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5 College Football Programs on the Decline

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Nov 15, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Christian Holmes (44) sits on the bench after losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide 25-20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Christian Holmes (44) sits on the bench after losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide 25-20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Jordan Lucas (9) tackles Boston College Eagles quarterback Tyler Murphy (2) during the second half of the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Penn State won 31-30 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Jordan Lucas (9) tackles Boston College Eagles quarterback Tyler Murphy (2) during the second half of the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Penn State won 31-30 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida State may not be the same without Jameis Winston, but the Seminoles are still far and away the most talented team in the ACC. Therefore, even if the Seminoles lose more in 2015 and beyond than they did across the past two seasons, there is every reason to believe that they will compete for the conference title even without Winston and a host of other NFL Draft picks.

Louisville is also under consideration as the Cardinals lost ten draft picks and return just nine total starters from the 2014 squad. But Bobby Petrino has a strong track record of building and re-building programs that makes it unlikely Louisville will fall far. Therefore, the team with the greatest chance to decline is Boston College.

The Eagles have been solid but not spectacular under head coach Steve Addazio, who has led them to back-to-back 7-6 win seasons since taking over as head coach prior to 2013.

Last year BC was very close to a remarkable season – the Eagles beat No. 9 USC 37-31 and lost to Clemson 17-13, Florida State 20-17 and Penn State 31-30 in overtime – but they were also inconsistent, as evidenced by a 24-21 loss to Colorado State.

This year’s team must replace eight starters on offense, including starting quarterback Tyler Murphy (who was the team’s leading rusher as well as passer last season) and the entire offensive line (with no juniors or seniors expected to replace them). That makes BC the least experienced offense in the ACC.

Overall, the Eagles only return nine starters, which is tied with Louisville for fewest in the league. Only Kansas returns fewer starters among Power Five conference teams. Running back Jonathan Hillman (860 rushing yards in 2014) returns and quarterback Darius Wade is expected to step into Murphy’s shoes under center, but there are plenty of questions elsewhere.

Addazio has done a terrific job at Boston College. He took a program that was 2-10 the season before he arrived and has won 14 games in two years. But with FSU and Clemson entrenched atop the division standings and Louisville expected to remain strong under Bobby Petrino, it will be very difficult for the Eagles to climb the ladder. Add the fact that the Eagles haven’t recruited well (they ranked last in the ACC in 2013 and 2015 and were 11th in 2014, according to 247Sports), and the future is pretty bleak.

As for 2015, the Eagles have a tough schedule for a rebuilding squad, other than two FCS snoozers in Week 1 and Week 2. BC faces MAC power Northern Illinois and Notre Dame (at Fenway Park) rounding out the non-conference slate, and in addition to winning Atlantic Division foes Florida State, Clemson, Louisville and N.C. State, Boston College must also face Duke and Virginia Tech from the Coastal.

Next: Big Ten: Rutgers

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